The University of Maryland - College Park

What ever you are looking for, this school has it. If you want a social life, good education, sports, girls, good food or no social life, a quiet place to study, internships, diversity, this school has it. The only complaint I have is the campus is gigantic, but at least they offer free bus services and van services to pick you up where ever you are.

3rd Year Male -- Class 2014

Scholastic Success: A+, Perceived Campus Safety: D+

Ok, so I've just finished up my first semester and was going back through these reviews when I wanted to add my own comments on UMD.

Academics: As an engineering major at UMD, I absolutely love my department. Everyone seems knowledgeable and loves their field and from what I've heard, there seems to be a great number of internships for upperclassmen, and I actually know a freshman who just got a job at the Space Systems Lab last semester! However, one will of course get those classes where one essentially has to teach themselves but office hours are always there and from my experience, the professors are eager to help you with the coursework if you come for help.

Campus: I absolutely LOVE the campus! I just love walking around campus, especially the mall, because you just think "God, I'm in college; my life is just beginning!" However, as an engineering major, living on north campus, I only see a small part of it and the farthest south I go is the Engineering building. But this has actually become a pro. For all of those that are terrified of the large campus size, it really just gives you the option on whether or not you want to disappear into animosity or not. Since most of the people in my dorm are some kind of engineering or science major, I constantly see people I know on my way or even in my classes. It has even gotten to the point of annoyance because I would see everyone constantly, making it feel more like a small town than anything!

Social Life: So I am not a partyier at all and was pretty worried about what it would be like going to what is known as a pretty big party school. However, although I've noticed that a pretty big part of the campus is into partying, it is possible to have a social life outside if it, if you find a group of friends that dont drink either. But I have to admit, from talking to other people, I've realized that I got lucky with my dorm. Yes, everyone on the floor is friends and most of them go out partying on Rt. 1 together but theres never any obnoxiously drunk people in the dorm late at night. And on that note of friends...

Diversity: So yeah, I have noticed a bit of clique-iness and some people tend to stay with old high school friends or people within their own race. But then this is what you make of it. Then there are people who have a very diverse group of friends. Basically, just make an effort to meet as many people as possible and you'll be okay.So overall, your experience here is what you make of it. You can sit there and complain about the academics, all the cliques, and huge party scene or you can go out, be proactive about your education by going to office hours and studying (because you will need to study), and not clinging to old friends from high school and meeting as many people as possible, and with a campus of +20000 undergrads, this will be easy. And although I've never, ever been one for school spirit, I have come to love this place.

1st Year Female -- Class 2012

Faculty Accessibility: A, Surrounding City: C+